Trump loyalists have reportedly nicknamed John Kelly 'the church lady'

President Trump lauded White House chief of staff John Kelly via Twitter on Friday morning, but a new report reveals the commander in chief may be privately frustrated with the retired Marine Corps general's control.

Since his stepping into the role previously held by Reince Priebus, Kelly has sought to stomp out the chaos of leaks and palace intrigue that has plagued the Trump administration in its first calendar year. According to the Washington Post, Trump loyalists say this crackdown approach runs counter to Trump's natural way of conducting White House business, and Kelly has now been dubbed "the church lady" by some close to the president.

Per the Washington Post report published on Thursday, several people close to the president say Trump resents Kelly's moves to restrict Oval Office access and keep the leader in direct paths of operation -- leading to the "church lady" nickname because they view him as morally superior and strict.

RELATED: Members past and present of President Trump's inner circle

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Members past and present of President Trump's inner circle

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Members past and present of President Trump's inner circle

Hope Hicks: Former White House Director of Strategic Communications

Melania Trump: Wife to President Trump and first lady of the United States

Gary Cohn: Former Director of the U.S. National Economic Council

Michael Flynn: Former National Security Advisor, no longer with the Trump administration

Ivanka Trump: First daughter and presidential adviser

Gen. John Kelly: Former Secretary of Homeland Security, current White House chief of staff

Steve Bannon: Former White House chief strategist, no longer with the Trump administration

Jared Kushner: Son-in-law and senior adviser

Kellyanne Conway: Former Trump campaign manager, current counselor to the president

Reince Priebus: Former White House chief of staff, no longer with the Trump administration

Anthony Scaramucci: Former White House communications director, no longer with the Trump administration

Sarah Huckabee Sanders: White House press secretary

Donald Trump Jr.: First son to President Trump

Sean Spicer: Former White House press secretary, soon to be no longer with the Trump administration

"He’s having a very hard time," someone who had recently spoke with the president said. "He doesn’t like the way the media’s handling him. He doesn’t like how Kelly’s handling him. He’s turning on people that are very close to him."

"General John Kelly is doing a great job as Chief of Staff," the president tweeted on Friday morning. "I could not be happier or more impressed - and this Administration continues to get things done at a record clip. Many big decisions to be made over the coming days and weeks. AMERICA FIRST!"

General John Kelly is doing a great job as Chief of Staff. I could not be happier or more impressed - and this Administration continues to..